Improving Student Life

What is “Improving Student Life”?

UC Berkeley is a rich and diverse milieu of student life, academic scholarship, and initiative. UC Berkeley is a rich and diverse milieu of student life, academic scholarship, and initiative. Berkeley is home to a long and rich history of student leadership, activism, and engagement. In the 1930s, Berkeley students organized protests against totalitarianism and fascism. In the 1950s, Berkeley students challenged campus administrators on the loyalty oath required for UC employees that required each employee to declare in writing that he or she was not a member of the communist party. In 1964, a sit-in at Sproul Hall launched the Free Speech Movement. In the 1970s, students advocated for disability rights and women activists launched the “second wave” of the women’s movement. Today, students on campus continue to advocate for the rights and welfare of their fellow students.

The Challenge

The challenge for this category is to describe a new policy, program, course, initiative, or service that improves the UC Berkeley student experience in a meaningful way. Projects can serve students on-campus and/or engage students in off-campus activities that also benefit the larger community. Proposals must also be aligned with the strategic priorities of the ASUC, as outlined in the ASUC Student Government Preamble.

Examples of proposals that would fit into this category include:

An outreach project that aims to promote the physical and mental health of students.

A mentorship program that seeks to support and welcome first generation college students on campus.

A sexual violence awareness campaign that trains students in bystander interventions and provides education consent and healthy relationships.

An educational program that aims to improve the financial literacy of undergraduate students and provides education on student loans, credit, and money management.

Eligibility

The “Improving Student Life” category is open to all matriculated undergraduate and graduate students at UC Berkeley. Multidisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged to apply. For additional information about general contest rules, timing and how to apply, please refer to the Contest Application Requirements.